In January’s “Steal of the Month” column, written by Esther Adams, actress Michelle Monaghan confesses to having a longtime love affair with denim. It began years ago when her unofficial school uniform consisted of baggy acid-washed jeans. “Madonna was a big influence then!” she told Vogue, laughing. Nowadays, the actress prefers a more polished style, like the Rag & Bone denim trousers she’s seen wearing above. Her look speaks to the latest revival of jeans in their original true-blue shade, which has designers once again turning to the classic and versatile fabric and elevating it in a way that’s all their own—take, for example, Balenciaga’s indigo skinny pants or Acne's skirt. In honor of this resurgence, we tracked down the best denim pieces out there—from vests to skirts and even boots—that are all under $500.